How the Rock and other celebrity dads are embracing fatherhood and breaking down gender stereotypes

“The Rock” in a popular Instagram photo showing him as a loving dad. (Photo: Instagram/Dwayne Johnson)

Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson might be known to many as a superstar wrestler turned blockbusting Hollywood actor, but he is simply known as “Dad” to his three girls. The newest addition to Johnson’s family is 1-month-old Tiana, and for her, he’s put aside his tough-guy persona and turned up his mushy parental instincts — at least on Instagram. And he’s not the only celebrity dad doing so.

The actor, 45, recently shared a sweet photo in which he takes a knee while spoon-feeding his longtime girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, as she breastfeeds Tiana. It went quickly viral, racking up over 5.5 million likes and sparking a celebratory conversation of more than 44,000 comments, mostly about the nature of fatherhood.

“I’m a dad I completely understand I did this I love doing this and it shows a real man and a father I have no doubt you will be a fantastic father as you are a man congratulations again,” noted one commenter. Another added, “You can be a good actor and a good businessman, but if your not a good father or a good partner you are nothing. You sir are a great father and being a great partner. Keep up your hustle.”

Another fan wrote, “This is one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. I don’t know any men that are like this,” and several were so impressed that they declared him to be “a real man.”

Others were so bowled over by Johnson’s simple gesture, it was a bit alarming: “Never have I seen a man respect a mum in this way!!!!!! What a dream….hero….demiGOD of a man,” noted one.

It was not the first time the actor used social media to showcase his parental devotion, and often shares tender images of his girls.

Other celebrity dads embracing fatherhood and sharing their own special moments with their millions of social media fans include retired soccer superstar David Beckham, who frequently posts about the love he has for his three boys and one girl, with wife, Victoria.

Even reality TV villain and The Hills alum Spencer Pratt completely transforms into a sweet, sensitive man for his baby boy Gunner on Instagram (where he calls himself “Pratt Daddy”). As he told People recently, “My favorite part of fatherhood is seeing a baby so innocent. Until you watch a human being born and watch a little baby growing and learning how to smile and waiting for a baby to giggle … it’s definitely made me enjoy humans more.”

Other celeb daddies getting into the doting cuddle game on social media include John Legend, DJ Khaled, and Kanye West. And the images they post have a powerful influence, according to University of Oregon psychology professor Gordon Hall. He tells Yahoo Lifestyle that celebrity dads often get praised for being doting dads because these types of gestures are “counter-stereotypical,” and show “a tough guy being tender.”

A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend) on Jun 9, 2018 at 6:15pm PDT

“Men and boys can learn [by seeing these images] that being nurturing is part of being a man,” he explains. “Some men who believe in traditional gender roles may not see nurturing as their responsibility — it is ‘women’s work.’ Pop culture moments like these could be a start toward changing traditional gender roles for some men who are uncertain about them.”

Even a cursory read of the comments on these photos supports Hall’s point — as one commenter wrote simply and powerfully on Johnson’s recent pic, “ You are my hero, dude.”